Mid Contract Management:

 

Mid contract management (MCM) is required by all Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants as part of their approved conservation plan. These management activities are designed to ensure maximum wildlife benefits, plant diversity, and protection of our soil and water resources. MCM practices are scheduled to be completed during years 4-6 for new 10 year contracts and years 1-6 for re-enrolled contracts. Not more than 50% of contract acres should be managed in one year.

There are 3 approved options for MCM activities: disking, herbiciding, and controlled burning. Disking is used to disturb the vegetation that in turn reduces grass density, stimulates forbs (wildflowers), and enhances vegetative structure at ground level that benefits various wildlife species like Northern Bobwhite Quail. Herbiciding is used to control undesirable vegetation (introduced grasses, saplings, etc.) which enhances the quality of wildlife and pollinator habitat. Prescribed burning is used to maintain early successional habitat and is most beneficial to native warm season grasses. Burning can also be used to kill unwanted woody vegetation and increase wildflowers (depending on the time of year it is used).

The goal of the landowner and specifications of the contract are important and will dictate the timing when each MCM activity is performed. However, a CRP participant can change their MCM option in order to adequately address the condition of the vegetation to best improve the habitat for wildlife and/or control problem vegetation. This change can be requested at your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office but must be requested prior to the application of mid-contract management practices.

Technical assistance is available to land owners to enhance their cover and maximize wildlife benefits by contacting their local NRCS or FSA offices. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) also has private lands biologist available for technical assistance.

 

Kevin Edge

Soil Conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service

200 South Jefferson Street

Winchester, TN 37398

Office: 931-967-2521 Ext. 114

Fax: 931-967-9394